Can I Use Vacation or PTO to Supplement My PFL Benefits?

Yes, if your employer has a paid vacation or PTO policy, you may elect to use your accrued leave to supplement your PFL benefits. This is called “integration.” Your combined PFL benefits and paid leave can be up to 100% of your normal wages, but you cannot receive more than that. For example, if you normally earn $1,000 per week and your weekly PFL benefit is $550, you can receive a maximum of $450 from your employer in PTO or vacation. If your employer agrees, you may also integrate PFL benefits with your accrued sick leave.

California has a one-week waiting period before an eligible employee receives PFL benefits. During this time, no benefits are paid. However, employees may use PTO or vacation to receive their normal wages during the waiting week.

Example: Carlton plans to take five weeks off when his son is born. He works a 40-hour week and has three weeks of PTO saved up (120 hours). He is eligible to receive 55% of his salary through California’s paid family leave program. He wants to use his PTO to supplement his pay so that he receives his full salary during his leave. Here’s how he will be paid:

Week 1: The first week is a waiting period, during which no PFL benefits are paid. Carlton will need to use a full week of PTO (40 hours).

Weeks 2 through 5: Carlton will receive 55% of his wages in PFL benefits. The other 45% of his wages will come from PTO. This amounts to 18 PTO hours per week (45% of 40 hours = 18) for four weeks, for a total of 72 PTO hours.